Aircraft carrier



April 1961 D. ELLIOTT ETAL 2,980,270

AIRCRAFT CARRIER Filed Jan. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1961 D. ELLIOTT ETAL 2,980,270

AIRCRAFT CARRIER Filed Jan. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS DAVID ELLIOTT $60642 lE T GJEEENS Fascia 25,936,279 Patented Apr. 18, 1961 AIRCRAFT CARRIER David Elliott and Roy P. Gihbens, Miami, Fla; said Elliott assignor to Suzanne Elliott, Miami, Fla.

Filed Jan. 7, '1958, Ser. No. 707,508 6 Claims. (Cl. 214-85) This invention relates to an improvement in aircraft carriers for the handling of large land based aircraft during such time as the airplane is on the ground, exclusive of the takeoff and landing roll. The principal object is to provide a carrier capable of transporting under its own power any large aircraft, particularly of the jet type. In practice the airplane will taxi onto the carrier after completion of the landing roll and thence be transported through all of the, phases of unloading, servicing, and reloading and will remain on the carrier until ready to take ofi at the end of the runway.

The aircraft carrier is so equipped that it is possible to transport an aircraft about an airfield and from which carrier it can be serviced for fueling, starting, and performing any service necessary in the proper maintenance of an aircraft, and thereby eliminate the usual ground servicing vehicles and stations generallyemployed at airfields. Also, all offensive odors, noise and vibration caused by the jet engines and aircraft as it is moved about an airport can be overcome and eliminated.

The invention consists in providing an aircraft carrier with a main or central trackway for supporting the nose landing gear of an aircraft and along which the nose gear travels as the aircraft is taxied on and off the carrier. The trackway is supported on wheels at each end thereof and wheel supported Outriggers are disposed on each side of the main trackway at one end thereof and arranged in spaced relation with respect to the main trackway. The Outriggers are each provided with trackways for supporting the main landing gear of the aircraft,

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the aircraft carrier with an aircraft shown in outline;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation with an aircraft in outline; v

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 44 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a view in rear elevation of one of the outriggers; and e 7 p Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a beam unassembled.

The aircraft carrier is constructed to support the weight of an aircraft, which is partially represented by dotted lines A, and to accommodate the nose landing gear B and the main landing gears C. These gears are preferably of the retractable type, and are arranged and located on for driving an electric generator 24.

-extending end wall 32 located the aircraft with the main landing gears considerably in i the rear of the nose landing gear which is located at the nose of the aircraft and laterally thereof, sothat when the suitable thickness and of a width sufficient to allow the' nose landing gear B 'of an aircraft to be supported thereby and to travel throughout the length" thereof. At each end trackway composed Y ingress and egress of the nose gear. Pneumatic tired wheels 15 are connected to the beams at the rear end of the trackway, and at the front end of the trackway similar steering wheels 16 are pivotally mounted to the beams. The wheels 16 are connected together by a suitable steering gear 17, Fig. 4.

The forward or front end of the trackway is provided on each side thereof with platforms 22 connected to the beams 10, and on which are cabins 18, 19 for the operator and personnel, while the necessary accessories for servicing the aircraft may be carried by the platforms 22. The steering gear 17 is operable by a steering wheel 20, dotted lines, in cabin 18 and connected to steering column 21, Fig. 4. Mounted on a platform 22 is an engine 23 Located along each side of the main the rear end thereof are outriggers of adequate length but shorter than the main trackway for receiving and supporting the main landing gears C of an aircraft. outriggers are spaced from each other and the main trackway a distance equal to and sufiicient for the main landing gears to be supported by them. The Outriggers are similarly constructed and each consists of a channel shaped metal track 26 supported on wheels 28 and 29 journaled to the outer sides of the vertical walls 30, Fig. 5. The vertical walls 30 have flanges 31 which overlie the wheels 28 and 29 and one of the flanges 31 has a downwardly adjacent the inner wheels 29 upon which reversible electric motors 33 are mounted andwhich have driving connection with the axles 34 of the inner wheels 29. The motors 33 are connectedto the generator 24 by suitable wiring 36 for supplying current for propelling the aircraft carrier.

The end walls 32 of each of the Outriggers is pivotally connected to an adjacent beam 10 of the main trackway by a girder 38 to maintain the Outriggers spaced from the main trackway. The pivotal connection between the griders 38 and beams 19 and end wall 31 allows for vertical oscillating movement of the Outriggers with respect to the main trackway to allow for any uneven contour'of the airport or landing field and allows for wing flexing of the aircraft to overcome injury to aircraft and damaging the fuel tanks.

Extending forwardly and obliquely from the end walls 31 of the Outriggers are beams 40, which are pivotally connected to the end walls 31 and to the respective beams 14 of the trackway; As illustrated in Fig. 6 the beams 40 are provided with a plurality and the ends of the beam are received in sockets 43 of brackets 44 connected tothe sides of the beams or main trackway and similar brackets 45 on the end walls 32 of the outriggers.- Pins 46 extend horizontally through the holes 42 of the beams 4t and registering 44 and 45 for pivotally and adjustably connecting the outriggers to the main trackway. This arrangement allows for adjustment between Outriggers and main trackway and allows the outriggers to have a vertical oscillating-movement with respect to the main trackway. The girders 38 are similarly attachedto the end walls 31 and beams Ill and the showing in Fig. 6 is deemed adequate.

The main trackway with the laterally disposed .outriggers at the rear end of the main trackway are all connected together by girders 3S and beams 44 providing a rigid T-shaped construction and provides a support and passageway for the nose gear of the aircraft. e i

When power is applied to thewheels 29 of the outriggers, upon energizing .the motors 34,. the aircraft carrier may be propelled for transporting an aircraft about an airfield or airport and from the point of landing .to the take off position. A'n aircraft on landing at an airport will be :taxied onto the aircraft v:carrier, with the nose trackway and at The of holes 42 at each end,

holes 47 in the brackets i l y f "i 0,270

' landing g lwheels B tra a pthe ramp 14 and onto ramp c n c to'oppos eend o and ae wa the" main trackway and continuing therealong until the andsaid outrigger tracks for taxiing ingressand egress of main landing gear wheels C have moved up. the ramps 27 I an airplane onto andtrorn the'carrier. T oftheoutr-i'ggers and ontothe outriggertracksjg gwhere V carriertor transporting an aircraft having nose upon meg-aircraft power is; out goif and the ramps 14} nd 5 and main landing'gears withsaid maintlanding gear'being '27 isvvingimpwardly and; held by; 1atehes= 4-to serge fas 1 arranged rearwardlyand laterally of said nose gear, comchecks for. the landing-gear wheels. Fig.5 shows'bralges prising an elongated trackw ay- 'ofja length equal at least to 50 which may be used and operatedj by any suitable 3 the overall distance fromihegnose landing gear to and mechanisrnyi I 1' a including the main landing gear; a-ramp' pivotally From the foregoing it will be apparentithat'withthe airmounted to Said tr c way a 6 5 1 115 her of, .aplurality craftcarriejr'of the present invention a carrier is provided of supporting Wheels connected to one end otsaid track, for transporting aircraft about an airport and wherein a pair of wheels ipivotallyl mounted on opposite sides of 7 all servicing of theaircratt can beconducted from various i the trackway at the other end for steering'said trackway, fequiprnentprovided-inithe acabins 18 and:19,, :andat less a wheeled outriggertraek positioned on each side'of'sa-id expenseiinzt'aniing anjaircraft, about an airport to receive 5 trackway 'in spaced parallel relation thereto with the the necessary servicing. Again, towing is eliminated 1 wheels of the outrigger tracks, and the trackway supportwhich is not feasible because of'the excessive strain on the a ing wheels being disposed in a common vertical plane, a nose wheel ofithe aircraft due to the great weightof spacing member ms d' 'e e n eachnutriggertrack 1 the aircraft and particularlyunder; adverse condition such and'saidtrackw y w theienfls' Of Q 'Q d P g as a snow covered'airfieldj' V a {5' 20 members pivotally connected 'to said-trackway and out It will be-noted that in a 'carrier ot this characterthat V rigger'track forgllowing pivotal movement of the outthe main trackway mustbeof a'lengthatlleast equal to the rigger tracks with respectto the trackway, a-plurality of overall length from the nose landing gear to "and includ elongated adjustable brace members pivotally connected the v in gfiaIsof ircraft' that intaxiing atlone end to each :of saidaoutrigger tracks "and 'to said an'airora-ft onto the carrier the nose-gear must travel subtrackway intermediate its ends tor adjustably connecting stantially the entirelength of the traclsway' so that'the each wheeled outrigger-track, os tr kw y, id c main landing gears can be moved onto the. Outriggers 7 wayproviding a support for'said nose landing gearatthe 1 Also that the width/of the main trackway; and Outriggers end'thereof advance otsaidou't'rigger ,trzaeks and said is adequateito acco'mmodatethem. The carrier. should wheeled outrigger tracks providing 1a support for said 1 have a ground-clearance sutficient to permitthe carrier mainrlauding'gear wi h h gr e W gh the air r fi to travel insnow, for example. about seven inches, and to beingsupportedjbysaid' wheeled outrigger tracks, power afiord better access in inspecting and servicing the aircraft; 7 means mounted on said wheeled outriggertracks for operf :We fi aimi 1 L V i ativelypropelling theiwhee sgotithe outriggertracksfand "1.:A n aircraft'c'arrier for transporting anaircraft havsaid trackway. r 7-, a ing nose and main landing gears, saidmain landinggear 4. 'Av carrier *for'transporting an'airc'raftghaving-nose beingzarranged -in rearfof and, laterally of said nose :gear, t and main landing gears with said main landin gtgearbeing comprising an elongated main trackway supported at each arranged rearwardly, and laterally of said? nose; gear, end bywh'ee'ls and being of a'length at least-equal'torthe comprising an elongated vtrackvvay of a length'egualat 1 "overall distance from the nose landing 'ge arto and includleast tojjthe' overalls distance: from the nose landing gear 7 ing the main landing gear of the aircraft, and :two wheeled to and including themain landing gear, a ramp-pivotally 'outriggertracl; "pivotally connected. toisaid main track+ mounted togsaid trackway at each end thereof,-a plurality -f way' atone endthereof and cdisposed'oneon-Ieach side of of supporting whefelsconneCtedto one end of saidtrack, 7 said main trackw'ay in parallel relation thereto, and means a" pair ofp wheels ,pivotally mounted on opposite sides of 7 connected to each ofsa'idwheeled outrigger track'sfand the trackWayat -the other end-forsteeringsaid trackway, totsaid t'rack'way:interme'diateits ends for 'adjustably'posi '45 awheeledoutrigger track positionedon each side of said tioning said wheeled outrigger: tracks withrespe'ct to said trackway in spaced parallel'irelation thereto with the trackway, said Jmain trackway'providing a support for wheelsfofrthe outrigger traclcs and the;traokway sup- :"said nose landing gear at the end=thereoffin advance of {porting wheels 7 being disposed in a common-vertical said outrigger tracks, and'said outriggertracksproviding plane, agramp-pivotally "mountedffiat each end of, each a asupport' for said main landing gear, so that'the greatest 5Q outrigger track, an elongatably adjustable spacing memweight of the aircraft is'supported by saidoutrigger'tracks, 7 her interposed between each outrigger traclg; and said a and power 'means'mounted on said outrigger tracksfor 7 trackwaylwith the. ends -ofjeach pi ;s ic;1" 1onga ah1y fi propelling the wheels 'ofis'aid outrigger tracksfand'trans' 'justable spacing membersbeing pivotally connected to mitting'driving forcefto said maintrackway. V said'traekwayt and outrigger traclgq for allowing pivotal 2L aircraft carrier for transporting antaircraft hav and adjustable movemenr of the outrigger tracks with jing nose and main landing gears, Ssaid mainglanding gear lQWfltJQ-Sflii Efl9kWflY,E@P iY Qf elon ed fi l being arranged i'n rear of and 'laterally of tsaidinos'e l'g ean able brace 1 members tpiyotally -cconnected: at} one end to comprisingan elongated main traekway. supported at each each of 'said' outrigger tracksnm said traclrway inte 5 end by wheels'and'being of alength at least equaltofthe i mediate its ends'for adjustably connecting" each wheeled lpverall distancetroin thenose'landing" gear to andi'ncludef '60 outrigger track to said tra kway; s d ra lswey ingthe main landingge'ar ofgthe aircraihcandtwo wheeled ing 'a support, f r; said nose landing' gear atthe end outrigger tracks disposedione'on each side of s aid main the eofi--in,,adv nee :Qt 'rsa d;Qi ;t aks andrsaid tr-ackway ingpar'all'e'l relation theretospacing mernbersin: wheeled outriggertracksyroviding asupport for said 'terposed between said'maintrackway and outrigg'er traclss niainflafldinggean wi h th e-m d wt gh i 'withtrespeotive'ends of said niembefrs'being pivotallycon craft being supported by said" heeled}outriggertracks nested; to said traclcwayf and tra ks, "for vertical oscillation power means mounted on saidwheeled'outrigger; tracks wayfsaidfmainr-traclewayproviding a support fOI $Qidf}i-' tracks and said traekw ay andi steering meanscarried by ioutrigger-tracks,-,and" said outriggertraciesprovidingja "7 ,steering'wheels; "a v t supp rt for; sai'd rnainlanding'geanso'thatthefgreatest" 5-,; Cam -31f 19 rtingran it 'nleight ofthe aircraft is supported bysaid;ou trig ger"traolis; andimain; n ng ea s ithax l l .g' b ij? power'means mounted o'n said outrigger'tracksifforgpper f} iarranged:rearwardlyendjl terally ofsaid nose' com.-

atively'propel-ling thwheelsfofsaidoutrigger'tr i I "drivi r g-for ee to "said "jm'ain tracleway and m iv rn:

offsaidoutrigger.tiacks' withfrespect to lsaidmaini'tracle' f-for-operatively; propelling the wheelgof the outriggerhose landing -gear'attheiend' thereof in advanc'e,of said thefforyva rd end 0 Said troekway' for operating said 7 ircrait having nose 7 7 5351 2 7 ir s ns an e gn at tm"m t ens h a; ie-e including the main landing gear, a ramp pivotally mounted to said trackway at each end thereof. a plurality of supporting Wheels connected to one end of said trackway, a pair of wheels pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the trackway at the other end for steering said trackway, a wheeled outrigger track positioned at each side of the said trackway in spaced parallel relation therewith, a plurality of elongated adjustable brace members pivotally connected at one end to each of said outrigger tracks and to said trackway intermediate its ends for adjustably connecting each wheeled outrigger track to said trackway, said trackway providing a support for said nose landing gear at the end thereof in advance of said outrigger tracks and said wheeled outrigger tracks providing a support for said main landing gear with the greatest weight of the aircraft being supported by said wheeled outrigger tracks, power means mounted on said carrier for operatively propelling the wheels of the outn'gger tracks and trackway.

6. A carrier for transporting an aircraft having nose and main landing gears with said main landing gear being arranged rearwardly and laterally of said nose gear, comprising an elongated trackway of a length equal at least to the overall distance from the nose landing gear to and including the main landing gear, a ramp pivotally mounted to said trackway at each end thereof, a plurality of supporting wheels connected to one end of said trackway, a pair of wheels pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the trackway at the other end for steering said trackway, a wheeled outrigger track positioned at each side of the said trackway in spaced parallel relation therewith, a spacing member interposed between an end portion of each outrigger track and an end of said trackway with the ends of each of said spacing members being pivotally connected to said end portion of the trackway and outrigger track for allowing pivotal movement of the outrigger tracks with respect to the track way, a plurality of elongated adjustable brace members pivotally connected at the other end to each of said outrigger tracks and to said trackway intermediate its ends for adjustably connecting each wheeled outrigger track to said trackway, said trackway providing a support for said nose landing gear at the end thereof in advance of said elongated adjustable brace members and said wheeled outrigger tracks providing a support for said main landing gear with the greatest weight of the aircraft being supported by said wheeled outrigger tracks, power means mounted on said carrier for operatively propelling the wheels of said outrigger tracks and trackway. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,780,370 Tenney Nov. 4, 1930 2,248,080 Hathaway July 8, 1941 2,427,802 Merritt Sept. 23, 1947 2,523,832 Kunkel Sept. 26, 1950 2,539,010 Cox Jan. 23, 1951 2,787,331 LeTourneau et al Apr. 2, 1957 2,798,729 Paul July 9, 1957 (SEAL;

nertia-n TA-E LZ'ATENZT @FFECE C'TKFEEATE 0E R5ECTEN Patent No, 2,980,2'30 April 18, 1961 David Elliott et al,,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should. read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 2 and 3, for "said Elliott assignor to Suzanne Elliott, of Miami, Florida,".read said Elliott assignor of onc -half to Suzanne Elliott, of Miami, Florida, line 12, for "Suzanne Elliott and Roy P. Gibbons, their heirs" read David Elliott, Roy Pa Gibbens, and Suzanne Elliott,

their heirs in the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 and 4, for said Elliott assignor to Suzanne Elliott, Miami, Fla." read said Elliott assignon of one-half to Suzanne Elliott, Miami, Fla,

Signed and sealed this 9th day of January 1962,

Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L, LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Eatents 

